The Premier League enters its fifth gameweek of the season, which sees Manchester United make the trip to the capital to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Crystal Palace have not had the best of starts to the new Premier League season and have failed to carry over their momentum from last season into the new campaign. The Eagles currently lie in 16th place, a point above the relegation zone, having drawn two and lost two of the four games played so far. Oliver Glasner’s new manager bounce seems to have hit a bump, and they have had to come back from goals down to draw the game in their last two games.
Their last league game came at home against the promoted Leicester City, who took a 2-0 lead, and Palace needed a last-minute penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta to rescue a draw. However, Glasner’s men did enough in the midweek Carabao Cup fixture against QPR, progressing to the next round with a 2-1 win, thanks to a 64th-minute winner by Eberechi Eze. Palace have had the upper hand against United in their last few meetings and will look to maintain their streak again on Saturday.
Manchester United come into this game on the back of a resounding 7-0 win in the midweek Carabao Cup fixture against Barnsley. Man United fans were treated to a goal fest on Tuesday night as braces from Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Christian Eriksen helped the Red Devils to their biggest EFL cup win of all time. Erik ten Hag and the Old Trafford faithful will have been delighted to see their front line on the scoresheet, with the front four of Antony, Eriksen, Garnacho, and Rashford all bagging goals.
There were full debuts for new signing Manuel Ugarte as well as Academy product Toby Collyer, who, despite starting in an unfamiliar position, was impressive throughout the game. Manchester United rarely looked troubled on the night, as they were able to follow up their win against Southampton last weekend with a morale-boosting win on Tuesday night. They have now scored 10 goals in two games and will be hoping to continue their same form on Saturday as they visit a place where they have not had the best of games in recent times.
Man United were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing here at Selhurst Park last season, which had all but put the final nail in the coffin for Erik ten Hag’s job. However, the Red Devils went on to win the FA Cup, which was credited with keeping him in the hotseat for the new season. The visitors have never won a game against Palace away from home under Erik ten Hag and are on a four-game winless streak at Selhurst Park, having lost two and drawn two.
They last won here back in the 2020/21 season, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still manager, and will be hoping to break this unwanted record on Saturday evening.
Crystal Palace vs Man United – Kick-Off
Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024.
Time: 5.30 GMT
Venue: Selhurst Park, South London, UK.
Match Officials
Referee: David Coote.
Assistants: Nick Hopton, Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Darren Bond.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistant VAR: Akil Howson.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United – Team News
Crystal Palace will be without Chadi Riad, Rob Holding, and Matheus Franca, who are set to be on the treatment table for a little while. On-loan defender Trevor Chalobah is also expected to be absent from the matchday squad, having picked up an abdominal injury in training.
Manchester United have only a few players on the injury list and have an otherwise healthy squad, in stark comparison to last season. Long-term absentees include Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and new signing Leny Yoro, who is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
Striker Rasmus Højlund and midfielder Mason Mount were spotted in full training this week, but it is unlikely both will feature this weekend, and it remains to see if they are fit to feature. Victor Lindelof has also been on the sidelines for some time now and is expected to miss out on the trip to London.
Crystal Palace vs Man United – Key Players
Eberechi Eze
The English forward is fresh off a season that saw him receive his first England call-up and go to his first international tournament. Unlike his team, Eze has carried his momentum from last season into the new campaign and has been in good touch in the games played so far. With 3 goals and 1 assist in six games so far, Eze is enjoying his new role in the team and has seen more responsibility come his way in the attacking department following the departure of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich in the summer.
Oliver Glasner seems to trust the 26-year-old and has deployed him in a more advanced role next to new signing Eddie Nketiah compared to his usual attacking midfield position, and so far it has paid off for Eze, although that has not helped the Eagles open their Premier League win account. He will be one to keep an eye out against United on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United’s main man looks back in form and looked to be back at his scintillating best against Barnsley in the midweek Carabao Cup fixture. Rashford scored against Southampton last weekend and then followed it up with two goals and an assist on Tuesday night. His form and ability has been called into question over the course of last season, as fans and pundits recognize Rashford’s form as crucial to that of the club.
He was criticized for his lack of confidence and for not trying to take on opposition defenders in the first couple games, and he proved his doubters wrong against the Saints and Barnsley, playing with swagger and an air of confidence about him. He will be vital for United on Saturday as an in-form Marcus Rashford is one of the most dangerous players in football, and Oliver Glasner and Co. will be well aware of his threat.
Crystal Palace vs Man United – Predicted Lineups
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Man United: Dean Henderson; Nathaniel Clyne, Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix; Daniel Munoz, Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure, Tyrick Mitchell; Eddie Nketiah, Eberechi Eze; Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Man United predicted lineup Crystal Palace: Andre Onana; Nassour Mazaroui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Marcus Rashford.
